Gold Fortieth-Ounce 2016 Britannia, Coin from United Kingdom - detailed information

Gold Fortieth-Ounce 2016 Britannia, Coin from United Kingdom
CoinGold Fortieth-Ounce 2016 Britannia

Like many other mints, the Royal Mint issues bullion coins in precious metals, having much higher intrinsic value than their face value. The one-fortieth ounce (1/40 oz) gold coins are denominated as Fifty Pence (50p) and have been issued since 2014.

These tiny coins are legal tender but are not intended for circulation. They are targeted at collectors who appreciate the special editions as pieces of art. The coins are typically "one-year" types usually issued in parallel with other denominations with the same reverse designs.

Britannia as a symbol has been depicted on British coinage for centuries. The bullion series called Britannia has been issued in gold since 1987 and in silver since 1997; it has a "definitive" depiction - used on bullion coins (Brilliant Uncirculated grade), as well as “Britannia, the Changing Face of Britain” - a series of one-year designs like this one - used on proofs made for collectors.

The 2016 design shows a proud, patriotic Britannia with the British lion at her feet, a familiar pairing in popular history. With Britannia representing the nation, the lion is often used to depict the courage and strength of the British people. The lion is at rest, ready to rise at her command to the defence of the realm.

Sculptor Suzie Zamit is the first woman to have designed a coin featuring Britannia, the iconic female symbol of Britain. The 2016 Britannia is her third design for The Royal Mint, following her design for the 2010 Britannia coin range and the 2009 Charles Darwin Bicentenary £2 coin. Susie has brought her own perspective to Britannia, "the warrior queen".

“I knew it was important to make Britannia immediately recognisable but I also tried to think about how she could represent Britain in the twenty-first century. Britannia represents British liberty and democracy, especially potent in times of national insecurity, so I wanted to portray her as a strong figure, almost Amazonian, proud, patriotic and courageous. She is reminiscent of the goddess Athena, a warrior but in a protective, peace-keeping way.

The shield, a symbol of protection and security, incorporates the Union Jack and I included the lion as national symbol of courage. Visually it is very strong, beautiful and watchful and also a symbol of protection. The inclusion of wind and sea reflect the more modern, forward thinking themes of renewable and green energy.”

This fortieth-ounce gold proof coin was issued individually and in sets.

MintRoyal Mint Mint MarkNo mint mark Total Mintage 1,621
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Obverse
United Kingdom / Gold Fortieth-Ounce 2016 Britannia - obverse photo

The obverse of the coin depicts the crowned old head of Queen Elizabeth II facing right, wearing the Royal Diamond Diadem crown worn for her Coronation (her effigy known as the "Fifth Portrait").

In small letters below the head, the artist's initials J.C (for Jody Clark).

Running continuously around the effigy is the monarch's legend: ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 50 PENCE ·. Translated from Latin: Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, Queen, Defender of the Faith, followed by the value and denomination in English.

Obverse Inscription ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 50 PENCE ·
Reverse
United Kingdom / Gold Fortieth-Ounce 2016 Britannia - reverse photo

The reverse shows the standing robed figure of Britannia, the female personification of Great Britain, facing right. She is wearing a crested Corinthian helmet; in her left hand she is holding a trident; her right hand rests on a shield carrying the symbol of the Union Jack on it.

At her feet, a resting lion.

Around left, the inscription BRITANNIA; around right, 1/40 oz FINE GOLD 999.9. Around below, the date of issue 2016.

The artist's initials SZ (for Suzie Zamit) are below the lion's feet. The face value is on the obverse.

Reverse Inscription BRITANNIA 1/40 oz FINE GOLD 999. 2016
EdgeMilledEdge InscriptionNone
Notes

1,447 individual coins, plus coins in sets.
The individual coins, with Royal Mint product code BR16G40, had an issue limit of 2,250 and issue price of £70.00.

Included in Set
The Britannia 2016 Collection - Premium Six-Coin Gold Proof Set, mintage 174, limited to 175
6 coins: £100 (1oz), £50 (1/2oz), £25 (1/4oz), £10 (1/10oz), £1 (1/20oz), 50p (1/40oz)
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Gold Fortieth-Ounce 2016 Britannia: References to Information Used
SourceEditionAboutLinkNotes
Royal Mint Mintage link
All (24) coins of type: Gold Fortieth-Ounce (1/40 oz)
Coin NameMintageEffigyLegend
Gold Fortieth-Ounce 2014 Britannia 5,746 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH ' II ' D ' G REG ' FID ' DEF ' 50 ' PENCE '
Gold Fortieth-Ounce 2015 Britannia 3,213 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 50 PENCE ·
Gold Fortieth-Ounce 2016 Britannia 1,621 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 50 PENCE ·
Gold Fortieth-Ounce 2017 Britannia 1,070 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 50 PENCE ·
Gold Fortieth-Ounce 2018 Britannia 167 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 50 PENCE ·
Gold Fortieth-Ounce 2019 Britannia 165 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 50 PENCE ·
Gold Fortieth-Ounce 2020 Britannia 1,248 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 50 PENCE ·
Gold Fortieth-Ounce 2021 Britannia 150 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 50 PENCE ·
Gold Fortieth-Ounce 2022 Britannia 149 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 50 PENCE ·
Gold Fortieth-Ounce 2023 Britannia 175 King Charles III - First Portrait CHARLES III · D · G · REX · F · D · 50 PENCE · 2023 ·
Gold Fortieth-Ounce 2023 King Charles III Coronation 3,033 King Charles III - First Crowned Portrait CHARLES III · D · G · REX · F · D · 50 PENCE · 2023 ·
Gold Fortieth-Ounce 2023 King Charles III 75th Birthday 2,033 King Charles III - First Portrait CHARLES III · D · G · REX · F · D · 50 PENCE · 2023 ·
Gold Fortieth-Ounce 2024 Year of the Dragon 2,898 King Charles III - First Portrait CHARLES III · D · G · REX · F · D · 50 PENCE · 2024 ·
Gold Fortieth-Ounce 2024 Britannia (2,284) King Charles III - First Portrait CHARLES III · D · G · REX · F · D · 50 PENCE · 2024 ·
Gold Fortieth-Ounce 2024 Britannia and Liberty (1,786) King Charles III - First Portrait CHARLES III · D · G · REX · F · D · 50 PENCE · 2024 ·
Gold Fortieth-Ounce 2024 D-Day Anniversary 2,034 King Charles III - First Portrait CHARLES III · D · G · REX · F · D · 50 PENCE · 2024 ·
Gold Fortieth-Ounce 2024 Harry Potter - The Winged Keys 2,034 King Charles III - First Portrait CHARLES III · D · G · REX · F · D · 50 PENCE · 2024 ·
Gold Fortieth-Ounce 2024 Music Legends - George Michael (2,034) King Charles III - First Portrait CHARLES III · D · G · REX · F · D · 50 PENCE · 2024 ·
Gold Fortieth-Ounce 2024 Music Legends - Paul McCartney (1,010) King Charles III - First Portrait CHARLES III · D · G · REX · F · D · 50 PENCE · 2024 ·
Gold Fortieth-Ounce 2024 RNLI (2,034) King Charles III - First Portrait CHARLES III · D · G · REX · F · D · 50 PENCE · 2024 ·
Gold Fortieth-Ounce 2024 Buckingham Palace (2,034) King Charles III - First Portrait CHARLES III · D · G · REX · F · D · 50 PENCE · 2024 ·
Gold Fortieth-Ounce 2024 National Gallery (2,034) King Charles III - First Portrait CHARLES III · D · G · REX · F · D · 50 PENCE · 2024 ·
Gold Fortieth-Ounce 2024 The Gruffalo’s Child (2,034) King Charles III - First Portrait CHARLES III · D · G · REX · F · D · 50 PENCE · 2024 ·
Gold Fortieth-Ounce 2025 Year of the Snake (2,898) King Charles III - First Portrait CHARLES III · D · G · REX · F · D · 50 PENCE · 2025 ·
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Gold Fortieth-Ounce 2016 Britannia: Details
CountryUnited Kingdom
CurrencyPound Sterling
Coin TypeGold Fortieth-Ounce (1/40 oz)
Issued2016
MonarchQueen Elizabeth II
EffigyQueen Elizabeth II - Portrait by Jody Clark (Fifth Portrait)
ReverseBritannia, Standing
Face Value50 (x Penny)
Total Mintage1,621
CurrentYes
Material0.9999 Gold
DesignerSuzie Zamit
TechnologyMilled (machine-made)
ShapeRound
OrientationMedal Alignment (Axis 0)
Size8.0000 mm
Mass0.8000 g
OCC IDDKLM-OMKC-VQLB-ONZB
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Gold Fortieth-Ounce 2016 Britannia: Photos
ImageDetails
Gold Fortieth-Ounce 2016 Britannia: Photo Britannia 2016 UK Fortieth-Ounce Gold Proof Coin / thumbnail Britannia 2016 UK Fortieth-Ounce Gold Proof Coin
Copyright: Royal Mint
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Gold Fortieth-Ounce 2016 Britannia: Catalogue Reference IDs